Oleksandr Zinchenko has been in this situation at Manchester City before where his future looked in doubt after limited playing time over the season, but he turned down a move in the past and won his place back. Whether he can repeat the feat this summer remains to be seen, however.
Benjamin Mendy was suspended at the start of the season after allegations of sex crimes, so Zinchenko was the obvious choice at left-back. Pep Guardiola overlooked the 25-year-old, however, in favour of Joao Cancelo in a makeshift role, so he managed only 28 appearances from a possible 58.
Zinchenko started just 10 Premier League games from a possible 38 this campaign and faces more competition for playing time with City closing in on a £45m deal for Marc Cucurella, so this summer might result in him leaving. Noel Whelan believes he’s ‘not a natural’ defender which is why he’s being replaced.
He told Football Insider: “I don’t think Zinchenko is a full-back. When it comes to that defensive ability, I don’t think it comes naturally to him. He’s a more attack-minded player and because of his defensive ability, that’s why they want to get Cucurella. He ticks every single box if you want to play in that position.”
Zinchenko has plenty of Premier League interest but may not want to leave the best club in England given how much success he’s enjoyed. And with two years remaining on his deal, he could reject a move away and fight for his spot. It’s just hard to see him dethroning Cancelo and Cucurella next season, however.
In other news, Dean Jones says Man City are ‘pushing’ Raheem Sterling to leave this summer